Looking to buy a new saw

[kenfain]

Been narrowing down some choices. The power to weight ratio is funneling me towards a fifty cc, to a maximum of about 60cc. Looking at reviews, I'm leaning towards a Stihl 362. They're a bit pricey, so I'm looking around for a gently used one. Just a couple of questions. What would a guy expect to pay for a used one? Anything that I should be looking out for, when looking at a used model?

I typically cut about three cords a year, for home heating. All of that is downed oak. Some are whole trees, some just limb fall. I've got a ms 170 for the small stuff, so I'm looking for something with more power for the bigger stuff. Typically the tree size maxes out about 24 inches, but mostly, it's smaller, and runs around 18" or so. In the past, I've been using a 42cc saw, and it just seems to take forever to cut through anything of any size.

Of course the 170 has that little pico chain, and it cuts mighty quick. But unfortunately that's not the case with my other saws. I've got a heavy poulan pro 5020, and it's a fifty cc. I'd like to get something that's a bit lighter, with at least as much power.

 

[computeruser]

261 witha 16” bar sounds about perfect for that sort of use. Sure, you may need to cut the reply big stuff from both sides, but you’d have a great saw that is light and powerful for everything else!

 

[kenfain]

261 witha 16” bar sounds about perfect for that sort of use. Sure, you may need to cut the reply big stuff from both sides, but you’d have a great saw that is light and powerful for everything else!

Well I have to say that the lesser weight of the 261 certainly makes this an interesting choice. As I get older, those saws just feel heavier when I'm tired. I've looked at so many saw choices in the last few days, that I honestly don't remember what caused me to look past the 261.

Almost anything would be a step up, from a cheap 42cc saw, with an 18in" bar. I've been getting by with those for years. Now that I've got a little change to spend, I'm thinking about buying something that'll start, and actually idle, as well as cut faster. As long as it's something that would pull a bigger bar, for that very infrequent 36in" stump.

 

[AGoodSteward]

I run a 362 with a 20 or a 25" bar. Works great. The boss has a bunch of 261's and they feel like feathers compared to my saw. He keeps 18" bars on his, and they are fabuloso

 

[computeruser]

I wouldn’t want to cut 36” stumps with either a 261 or 362, frankly. That is big saw territory, in my experience, and I’m not sure it is reasonable to ask that of a 60cc machine with any sort of frequency.

 

[holeycow]

If you are cutting lots of 18” wood, then get a 60 or 70cc saw. It will be so much faster and more fun than a 50cc saw for that. Albeit a pound heavier. Probably a couple of pounds with the bar..and it feels like more in the hands.

While the 50cc pro saw will be a huge step up from what you have, it will not be near the 60cc in that size wood.

If your average size is 12-14”, then the 50 will be decent. (With a 16-18” bar and .325 chain)

I think you need a 60cc saw (at least) based on your description. Whatever you get, don’t over bar it in regular use. That seems to be quite common on here, imo.

If you want an inexpensive new 60, consider an Echo cs590.

Look at my sig. I have several saws that could be in your sights.

If you buy a used saw, then buy a pristine example of a generation or two back...

Or Order a new one from Greece.

Imo.

 

[full chizel]

I think its more common here to buy a 70-90cc saw to cut what a 40-50cc will cut.

But hey, If you want to throw a 20 pounds saw around to cut 12 inch wood knock yourself out

 

[holeycow]

OP said 18” average, some 24, and the odd 36” stump.

Read.

It’s more common here to over-bar a saw and then claim it cuts a size above. Not likely. It’s not likely to “cut a size above” in any case..

Many of us prefer a 50cc up to not much more than 12-14”. Then we go looking for a bigger saw after that.

 

[kenfain]

I appreciate the replies fellas! I've really enjoyed a few, while others were very helpful.

This is a good example of why I really need to be able to put a 20in. bar on. This example isn't as big as some, but I just hate leaving that much wood behind. That's a half a nite of heat there lol. I left that piece because of the barbed wire in it.

An eighteen inch bar would be enough for most everything else. Or even using a sixteen from either side as computeruser has said. The 170 has a 16in bar, but I consider it more for light duty, like limbs, and shrubs. Since my poulan has a 20 in. bar at 50cc, and does okay. I might look into a 261 again. The tree in the picture, is really on the large side of average for what I cut, but if a bigger one comes down, it still has to be dealt with just the same.

 

[Marshy]

The new Husqvarna 550XP Mark II is a screaming saw. Its newly released and idk price but would bet it meet your needs.

 

[Bobby Kirbos]

If you are cutting lots of 18” wood, then get a 60 or 70cc saw. It will be so much faster and more fun than a 50cc saw for that. Albeit a pound heavier. Probably a couple of pounds with the bar..and it feels like more in the hands.

While the 50cc pro saw will be a huge step up from what you have, it will not be near the 60cc in that size wood.

If your average size is 12-14”, then the 50 will be decent. (With a 16-18” bar and .325 chain)

I think you need a 60cc saw (at least) based on your description. Whatever you get, don’t over bar it in regular use. That seems to be quite common on here, imo.

If you want an inexpensive new 60, consider an Echo cs590.

Look at my sig. I have several saws that could be in your sights.

If you buy a used saw, then buy a pristine example of a generation or two back...

Or Order a new one from Greece.

Imo.

+1 - take a look at Echo. You may be surprised by the value.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

I love my 261. For cutting firewood averaging 18", I'd be running a 60-70cc saw.

 

[Jer75]

I don't know what your budget is, but if money wasn't a concern I'd think the 13# MS462 would be the bees knees! A 72.2cc saw with the weight of a 60cc. But they're spendy. (You only live once!)

If you're wanting to spend not much money and are not brand averse, I'd imagine the 59.8cc Echo CS-590 at 13.2# would get around the 3 cords of wood you described real nicely. Retail for $399.99

I was in to the Stihl dealer today and he had an MS362 the he had to sell as used because a customer took it home and used 1/2 a tank of gas and brought it back saying he wanted more power and bought an MS461. Dealer said he'd wanted that one when he was in the store from the gate but his wife wasn't wanting to spend the extra money. So he's selling it for $680 if I recall. Of course it looks just like the new one next to it on the shelf.

So many choices - that's the fun of it though!

 

[kenfain]

I love my 261. For cutting firewood averaging 18", I'd be running a 60-70cc saw.

Thats why I was looking at the 362. It should be all I need for the average. Plus it could do the bigger cuts in a pinch.

Just a side note about the stumps; they're all horizontal when I cut them. Between the oak wilt, and trees being blown over, all these trees are dead, or otherwise down. So I'm not making horizontal cuts, which always seemed harder for me. And the saw didn't seem to like it much either.

 

[longbowch]

I really like my Tree Monkey ported 261c. I think it might be the perfect firewood saw!

 

[kenfain]

+1 - take a look at Echo. You may be surprised by the value.

I've been looking at Echo also. Funny thing is, there's a lot of these coming up locally on Craigslist. Many of these look almost new. Probably single project saws, from home depot. Not everyone returns it to the store I guess. Unfortunately, they're either too small, or already sold, in the case of a couple that I called about. It'll just be a case of what pops up, in excellent condition first. But I really like the Stihl better. The reviews seem to favor the Stihl also, especially in the professional models.

 

[kenfain]

I really like my Tree Monkey ported 261c. I think it might be the perfect firewood saw!

All this talk about the 261, makes me want to give it a try! The bigger saw that I'm using now, is about 15lbs. and I know that's just too heavy to be comfortable. A saw like the 261 would be great, weight wise, but in the horse power department. I don't know if it'll be enough. It would still likely be my go to saw because of the size/weight.

 

[Tinman204]

Your firewood cutting and mine are similar. I mostly cut 20" poplar with occaisional 24" plus tree in the mix.

A 60cc saw is in my oppinion what you want and or need. I used to run 2 ms260s (one ported) up about 14" wood and then pull out my 038 magnum (72cc) for everything bigger. The big saw is fun and very fast but it beats me up over a long day so I tire quickly.

After putting some time on my newly built 562xp husky I'm now a 60cc believer. Its got enough grunt to noodle big logs and its light enough to use all day. I went cutting last saturday and I put more wood on the truck with 1 562 then i ever have with any of my other saws. I figure its from the smoothness of the saw, the fuel econmy and the fact its pretty light so I had more energy for a longer period.

Wether its an echo, stihl, husqvarna or whatever I think 60cc is the best all around size for most of us..

 

[Deleted member 117362]

Your firewood cutting and mine are similar. I mostly cut 20" poplar with occaisional 24" plus tree in the mix.

A 60cc saw is in my oppinion what you want and or need. I used to run 2 ms260s (one ported) up about 14" wood and then pull out my 038 magnum (72cc) for everything bigger. The big saw is fun and very fast but it beats me up over a long day so I tire quickly.

After putting some time on my newly built 562xp husky I'm now a 60cc believer. Its got enough grunt to noodle big logs and its light enough to use all day. I went cutting last saturday and I put more wood on the truck with 1 562 then i ever have with any of my other saws. I figure its from the smoothness of the saw, the fuel econmy and the fact its pretty light so I had more energy for a longer period.

Wether its an echo, stihl, husqvarna or whatever I think 60cc is the best all around size for most of us..

Yes, 562!

 

[kenfain]

Your firewood cutting and mine are similar. I mostly cut 20" poplar with occaisional 24" plus tree in the mix.

A 60cc saw is in my oppinion what you want and or need. I used to run 2 ms260s (one ported) up about 14" wood and then pull out my 038 magnum (72cc) for everything bigger. The big saw is fun and very fast but it beats me up over a long day so I tire quickly.

This year my plan is to run a husky 562xp that I built for darn near everything. Its got enough grunt to noodle big logs and its light enough to use all day. I wwnt cutting last saturday and I put more wood on the truck with 1 562 then i ever have with any of my other saws. I figure its from the smoothness of the saw, the fuel econmy and the fact its pretty light so I had more energy for a longer period.

Wether its an echo, stihl, husqvarna or whatever I think 60cc is the best all around size for most of us..

Right now, weight, and finances are the biggest obstacles to getting the saw I probably need. This 15 lbs. saw I'm using now is hard on my back. But then so is splitting big rounds while on my knees. So I'm trying to find a good medium. I can ease the financial part, by buying used. But a heavy saw is there daily, always ready to wear me down. I'm certainly not getting any younger. The 362 is about as heavy as I want to work with. Couple years from now, I may wish I'd gone with the smaller saw.